John Halligan calls for common sense on abortion debate

A Waterford Minister of State has called for common sense on the abortion debate

John Halligan was asked about an apparent slip in support for the liberalisation of abortion laws in weekend polls.

The Sunday Independent poll found that 63% of respondents were in favour of a referendum on repealing the 8th amendment.

However, a combined total of 52% were either against (33%) or unsure (19%) of the proposal for unrestricted abortion up to 12 weeks, compared to 48% in favour.

Minister Halligan said comments by some politicians on term limits are not helpful.

He observed: “I’m taken aback with some of the comments by politicians, who argue about 12 weeks, 10 weeks and so on.

“I think we are doing a terrible injustice to human rights for women, if after next year thousands and thousands more women are going to have to get on buses, boats, trains and planes and take lonely journeys over to England for their right to have control of their own body.”